2nd United States Sharpshooters, Company D
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Uniforms and Gear

Welcome to our uniforms and gear page.  These resources explain our gear and list articles and resources to improve your impression.  Texts in italics are straight from army regulations.

Notes on Uniformity

6/28/2015

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In Company D, we're working hard on creating military uniformity despite the fact that Sharpshooters were famous for wearing a wide variety of uniform combination.  One thing that was consistent was the presentation and possession of military issue accouterments.

We are currently in the process of standardizing our accouterments per army regulation.  This includes labeling our gear.  Why label our gear?  In addition to being army regulation it also has the practical application of making sure soldiers could locate their gear and that soldiers could be identified if killed or if they became a casualty of war.

1863 Articles of War says:  "Haversacks will be marked upon the flap with the number and name of the regiments, the letter of the company, and number of the soldier.."

The Knapsack:  Many of us have the calf skin Knapsack.  For those with the double knapsack, regulations state:  "For those of the infantry will be marked in the same way (in the center of the cover with the number of the regiment only in figures one and half inch in length of the character called full face), in white paint.  Knapsacks will also be marked upon the inner side of with the letter of the company and the number of the soldier, on such part as may be readily observed at inspections."

The Canteen: In Company D, we encourage the use of a jean wool cover with a twine rather than a chain holding the cork.  Only the New York Quartermaster Depot made canteens with chains attached to the stopper. The blue wool canteens for sale at sutlers did exist but few were made during the course of the war and only made from one manufacturer.  The reason being it was considered wasteful to use material to cover a canteen that could be better used making uniforms.  Canteen covers will be marked with the number of the regiment, letter of the company, and number of the soldier on one side and initials of the soldier on the reverse.


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Issued Sharpshooter Equipment

6/28/2015

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From U.S. Sharpshooter's Berdan's Civil War Elite, Sharpshooters were issued:

  1. Bootees
  2. Green forage cap "and yellow metal letters in front to designate companies"
  3. Drawers, flannel or knit cotton
  4. Green frock coat
  5. Cold weather gloves
  6. Leather leggings
  7. Painted or Rubber poncho
  8. Blue flannel sack coat
  9. Flannel shirt
  10. knit shirt
  11. stockings
  12. Green Trousers
  13. Trouser suspenders
  14. Sharps pattern cartridge box "Cartridge boxes and bayonet-scabbard will be polished with blacking.."
  15. Bayonet
  16. Wool blanket
  17. Canteen
  18. Cooking Kit: "in the field, the only mess furniture of the soldier will be one tin plate, one tin cup, one knife, fork, and spoon, to each man, to be carried by himself on the march."
  19. Tin cup
  20. Haversack
  21. Rations: "12 oz pork or bacon or 1lb 4 oz of salt or fresh beef; 1lb 6oz of soft bread or flour, or, 1lb of hardbread, or, 1lb 4 oz corn meal; and to every 100 rations, 15lbs of beans or peans, and 10 lbs of rice or hominy; 10 lbs of green coffee, or 8lbs of roasted (or roasted and ground) coffee, 1lb 8oz of tea; 15 lbs of sugar; 4 qts of vinegar; 1lb 4oz of candles; 4 oz pepper, 4lbs soap, 3lbs 12oz salt, 30lbs of potatoes, 1qt molasses."
  22. Knapsack, leather, tanned with hair on outside
  23. Knife, fork, and spoon.
  24. Leather rifle sling
  25. Shelter half
  26. Waist belt, leather & brass plate
  27. Black ostrich feather (early war)
A Sharpshooter may also have personal items such as:
  1. Candles
  2. Hair comb
  3. Housewife
  4. ID tag
  5. Ration for one day: bacon, peas, or bean, sugar, hardtack, coffee beans, salt
  6. Shaving equipment
  7. Soap "the men should bathe one or twice a week.  The feet to be washed at least twice a week.  The hair kept short, and beard neatly trimmed."
  8. Tobacco
  9. Writing implements

The unique uniforms of Sharpshooter uniforms also created strains in maintaining uniformity.

As early as December 1862, a reviewing officer reported that they were perfect slouches and slovens in appearance [of whom] no two are uniformed alike."  By March 1864, Major Mattocks, commanding the 1st USSS commented, "they are clothed in every shape, and present anything but a martial appearance." (Katcher 2002)



"Since resupply was often sacnt, it is easy to understand that the soldiers would take what they could from the slain.  The Sharpshooters were no different, and between resupply issues, they would take whatever uniforms or accouterments were handy, green or otherwise." (Marcot 2007)




Picture
Pvt. Frederick Coffin wearing a sack coat.
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    2nd USSS, Co. D

    Contact:
    Captain Ethan Whitehall:
    ethanbugs17@gmail.com

    ​Vendors:
    NJ Sekela
    Wambaugh & White
    Regimental Quartermaster
    Townsends

    Dell's Leather Works

    Gun Parts:
    VTI gun parts
    Flintlocks, Etc.
    ​Taylor's & Company


    Firearms Dealers:
    Gun Broker
    Dixie Gun Works

    Other Links:
    Washington Civil War Association
    Happy Friends of Civil War Farb
    Company C Berdan Sharpshooters

    Historically Speaking

    New Recruits:
    WCWA Safety Test


    Other Resources:
    Company D Standing Orders
    Company D Drill Guide
    Berdan Brochure

    Officer Responsibilities

    Handy Reenacting Forms
    Form 4. Accouterments Inventory
    Form 5. Camp and Garrison Equipage 
    2nd USSS Inventory Receipt 

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